A CYCLING supporter has pressed the new Cheshire West and Chester Council to explain its arrangements for backing cycling measures.

The former chairman of Chester City Council’s cycling working party, Lib Dem activist David Mead, says he is concerned about the progress of Chester’s designation as a cycle demonstration town and the involvement of cyclists and cycling groups.

Environment portfolio holder at Cheshire West and Chester, Cllr Neil Ritchie (Con, Broxton) says the working party is to be succeeded by a committee made up of councillors and representatives of cycling organisations.

This will steer and manage the planning and implementation of cycle-related matters with the aim of developing cycling as a key part of the council’s transportation strategy.

The council has inherited a £7m package of cycling projects in Chester and has vowed to support the programme of improvements to the city’s cycle network.

This includes a new pedestrian and cycle crossing of the Dee linking Boughton to Handbridge, the extension of the Millennium Greenway to Mickle Trafford and Guilden Sutton and an improved footway and cycle path to the riverside promenade using the Curzon Park railway bridge, linking the Millennium path from the University of Chester campus to the Deva Link and possibly the canal.